Printer choice

[klingsdesigns]

So undecided between the hp365 and Epson 80600. Need to buy tomorrow.

 

[Gino]

Either start farming out or getting someone you know to print for you, before you make a hasty decision on such an important part of your business. Basing a decision on a poll here is gonna get you a buncha emotional answers. Get some files together and drive, fly or take a train to some places where you can see for yourself, first hand.

 

[klingsdesigns]

I have seen both printers in action. Tomorrow morning I will be taking some files and printing on the 365. I have had solvent before. Just thought it would be nice to have latex and be able to lam right away. Some of our customers like us to hit certain colors and the Epson would be choice for that.

 

[klingsdesigns]

We typically print on calendared. Cast. Canvas. Photo paper. Wall fabric. Pop up display. T-shirt transfer material.

 

[SignMeUpGraphics]

The Epson ink doesn't take too long to dry really. 100% touch dry by the end of the platen/heater (8 pass or higher).
They quote 6 hours to fully outgas, but we've laminated in under an hour without failure so far. YMMV of course.

 

[MelloImagingTechnologies]

I agree with Signmeup.
I’ve been selling all of these makes for 20 years.
On solvent printers I sometimes add a BBC infrared heater which fully cures the ink so customers can laminate immediately after printing.

 

[rjssigns]

For what it's worth you can't run small sheets with a latex.

I make a solid profit using pieces others would throw in the trash.
Something satisfying about wringing every last bit of profit from a roll.

IMO HP's are for long unattended runs with limited media swaps.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Epson if you want Gamut, White, and Metallics. Speed is less than Latex and curing time is twice as long.

HP if you want faster turn around, easier profiling on the machine, wide material options, and low smells (there are heat associated odors).

We are looking at adding an epson, we are on the fence though as it appears that it can't do color/white/color easily.

 

[ColorCrest]

We are looking at adding an epson, we are on the fence though as it appears that it can't do color/white/color easily.

Curious what application and size this requirement is for.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Dual view decals and backlits. Size varies but thermal is too expensive and UV may be the only other suitable option but has issues with film laminating.

 

[klingsdesigns]

Just seen some stuff printed off the latex. All the colors seem very grainy is that common with this printer?

 

[ProPDF]

I agree with Signmeup.
I’ve been selling all of these makes for 20 years.
On solvent printers I sometimes add a BBC infrared heater which fully cures the ink so customers can laminate immediately after printing.

Agree %1000. Out gassing on a solvent printer is a toothless tiger if you add a cheap external heater that dries the ink immediately which is better than sitting around waiting for it to happen on it's own.

 

[ProPDF]

Epson if you want Gamut, White, and Metallics. Speed is less than Latex and curing time is twice as long.

HP if you want faster turn around, easier profiling on the machine, wide material options, and low smells (there are heat associated odors).

We are looking at adding an epson, we are on the fence though as it appears that it can't do color/white/color easily.

Mike from correctcolor.org told us the new hp's were canned and didn't offer the full profiling control that the solvent printers do. A lot of people are ok with that but the HP's from how it was explained to us was there are limitations.

 

[rjssigns]

Dual view decals and backlits. Size varies but thermal is too expensive and UV may be the only other suitable option but has issues with film laminating.

New Mimaki in the lab at school. White is opaque enough to completely blank out reflective. It was a test file, but we were surprised nonetheless. Don't know the profile or settings though. Haven't had much time to learn its capabilities.

 

[klingsdesigns]

samples printed.

 

[TomK]

Just seen some stuff printed off the latex. All the colors seem very grainy is that common with this printer?

Yes, see here https://signs101.com/threads/hp-latex-and-sticker-printing.146193/#post-1374328

Lots of folks will claim they have no graininess, but when you look at their samples posted here or samples of prints sent to you, they show graininess. Anything not viewed "close up" will look fine. This is a great sign and wrap printer, it is a horrible "sticker and decal" printer if someone looks at them within 12 to 24 inches.

If you are doing anything that will require close up viewing, go with the Epson. We use Canon 4000's for our sticker business, since all of our stuff is indoors (school stuff, office stuff, etc) and viewed close up. The material and ink cost for aqueous is way more expensive vs the cost for solvent/latex/UV printing.

I love my HP latex for anything sign related or for distance viewing. If I had more room, I'd have at least one Epson in my home shop, but I'm out of room, for now. When I can get rid of my latex, it'll be replaced by either an Epson or something else, but certainly not another Latex machine.

Fixed 12 picoliter droplets, what were they thinking...smh.

Tom

 

[Johnny Best]

Just seen some stuff printed off the latex. All the colors seem very grainy is that common with this printer?

Yep, grainy is the word I would use also, was not impressed with the latex's output, that is why I like the Epson machines. Photo quality and hits all the colors.
ALSO just got an email about a new Mimaki for $10,995 with 2-3 year extended warranty and free ink & materials, resolution up to 1440 dpi and up to 605 sqr feet/hr. Sounds like a good deal.
Robert Maher:
SIGNAGE SPECIALIST 303-733-6671 | 137 S Lincoln St. Denver, CO

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

It's a fine edge these printers walk. The HP is not designed for ultra close viewing on smooth surfaces like Vinyl. If you want close viewing but sacrifice production the Espon all the way, if you need volume then the HP is the better shoe.

These Latexes are designed for Production of larger signs and graphics, by they also do really well for close viewing on Fabric, Wallpaper, Canvas, and other textured surfaces where the grain disappears.

 

[CanuckSigns]

Epson if you want Gamut, White, and Metallics. Speed is less than Latex and curing time is twice as long.

HP if you want faster turn around, easier profiling on the machine, wide material options, and low smells (there are heat associated odors).

We are looking at adding an epson, we are on the fence though as it appears that it can't do color/white/color easily.

Actually the Epson is faster than the HP as shown in this video .

 

[TomK]

It's a fine edge these printers walk. The HP is not designed for ultra close viewing on smooth surfaces like Vinyl. If you want close viewing but sacrifice production the Espon all the way, if you need volume then the HP is the better shoe.

These Latexes are designed for Production of larger signs and graphics, by they also do really well for close viewing on Fabric, Wallpaper, Canvas, and other textured surfaces where the grain disappears.

Well said, and I couldn't agree more.